5 questions for 49ers heading into camp

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 27: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers is sacked by outside linebacker Markus Golden #44 of the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 27, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. The Carindals defeated the 49ers 47-7. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 27: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick #7 of...

Welcome to the quest for six … wins.

Yes, the storied franchise whose marketing department has played up its five Super Bowl titles in recent years will enter 2016 with far more modest expectations.

On the heels of a 5-11 disaster, the 49ers did change head coaches, but their talent-starved roster wasn’t overhauled in the offseason.

Now, they will face the NFL’s toughest schedule, based on the 2015 winning percentage of their opponents, and travel the fifth-most miles (25,330) this season.

A year after they weren’t favored in any of their regular-season games, it could be more of the same in 2016: In June, Cantor Technology, a gaming company, didn’t forecast the 49ers to be favored in a game this season and pegged them to be double-digit underdogs at Carolina, Seattle and Arizona.

They are obviously surrounded by a host of questions before they report for training camp Saturday in Santa Clara, and here are the five most pressing:

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Chip Kelly steps onto the Levi's Stadium turf after being introduced as the new head coach of the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif. on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016.

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During his three-season, welcome-to-the-NFL stint in Philadelphia, Kelly went from cutting-edge genius to a coach who was fired with a 6-9 record and a just-OK offense (13th in points).

Did the league catch on to his frenetic attack? In 2016, Kelly can re-establish his offensive chops if the 49ers’ offense can make the jump from abysmal to average.

Kelly inherits a unit that scored an NFL-worst 238 points last season and returns without an established No. 2 wide receiver or backup running back. In addition, his top two quarterbacks — Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert — had a combined passer rating (82.6) last year that would have ranked 31st in the NFL.

In Kelly’s NFL debut, he coaxed a 27-touchdown, two-interception season from lightly regarded Nick Foles, who was released by the Rams on Wednesday. If Gabbert or Kaepernick come anywhere close to those numbers in Kelly’s system, the coach at a crossroads will silence the skeptics.

2. Who is the starting quarterback?

Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

San Francisco 49ers' Blaine Gabbert hugs quarterbacks coach Steve Logan after Niners' 19-16 win over St. Louis Rams in overtime in NFL game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, January 3, 2016.

San Francisco 49ers' Blaine Gabbert hugs quarterbacks coach Steve...

The most-discussed summer topic in Santa Clara will be the battle between Gabbert and Kaepernick, left, for the starting spot.

Five years ago, they were drafted 26 picks apart and they have since taken opposite career paths.

Gabbert went from comically bad in Jacksonville to competent in his eight starts last year. Kaepernick went from unstoppable in 2012 to unplayable in 2015.

Given his physical gifts, and career accomplishments, Kaepernick has the higher ceiling, and it would benefit the 49ers in the long term if he recaptures his past form this season. If Gabbert wins the job, and duplicates his serviceable 2015 campaign, the 49ers will enter the offseason with a huge need at the NFL’s most important position.

3. Is this Trent Baalke’s last season?

In January, owner Jed York said general manager Baalke would keep his job — for now. He continued by suggesting that Baalke, who has had some notable draft and free-agent whiffs in recent years, bore some responsibility for the franchise’s nosedive.

“Trent,” York said, “understands that I’m not satisfied with the current state of this team.”

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

San Francisco 49ers' 49ers GM Trent Baalke comments on the retirement of linebacker Patrick Willis, during a press conference at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Ca. on Tues. March 10, 2015.

San Francisco 49ers' 49ers GM Trent Baalke comments on the...

Since then, York has made it clear he wouldn’t fire the head coach for a third straight season, saying Kelly would be with the 49ers for a “long time.” So what happens if the 49ers endure another embarrassing season?

York appeared to provide an answer Monday when the 49ers promoted Tom Gamble to assistant general manager. Gamble is a logical successor to Baalke. For starters, he is close to Kelly after he was a strong front-office ally in Philadelphia from 2013-14. In addition, he has strong ties to the 49ers, who have promoted their past two general managers from within. Before his two-year stint with the Eagles, Gamble worked in the 49ers’ front office from 2005-2012.

4. Can the sieve-like offensive line become solid?

If games are won in the trenches, it’s little wonder the 49ers won five games last year.

For much of the season, 60 percent of the offensive line was made up of since-released Jordan Devey, along with Marcus Martin and Erik Pears, the latter two of whom figure to be backups in 2016.

The 49ers have since taken steps to address their protection issues after allowing the third-most sacks (53) in franchise history. Their only free-agent signing of note was guard Zane Beadles, a former second-round pick, and they used a first-round pick on guard Joshua Garnett, above right. In addition, starting center Daniel Kilgore is healthy after he was limited to three starts last season. Finally, it appears they could have Anthony Davis, a premier right tackle who has applied for reinstatement after leaving the NFL in June 2015.

5. Can Carlos Hyde stay healthy?

Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

San Francisco 49ers' Joe Staley in 3rd quarter of 22-17 win over Kansas City Chiefs during NFL game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on Sunday, October 5, 2014.

San Francisco 49ers' Joe Staley in 3rd quarter of 22-17 win over...

Hyde has moved from the Big Ten to the big leagues.

After two NFL seasons, however, it’s not clear the former Ohio State running back has fully grasped the difference.

In college, the hard-running Hyde played in 41 games, had 523 carries and missed two games due to injury. In the NFL, Hyde has played in 21 games, had 198 carries and missed 11 games due to injury. Hyde’s physical style has invited an obvious question: Should he incorporate a bit more finesse in an effort to stay on the field? In June, he offered his answer: “I’d rather just try to run through you.”

It is a conundrum. Hyde is a 230-pund bruiser who forced a missed tackle once every 3.6 carries last year, the best in the NFL among running backs with at least 100 carries, according to Pro Football Focus.

However, the same trait that makes him effective also makes him susceptible to injury.